Alliance urges MPs to back decarbonisation target in Energy Bill

A broad alliance of organisations, including Oxfam, today called on MPs to back changes to the Energy Bill that would see the UK have a near carbon free power sector by 2030.

Over 35 signatories signed the joint statement to MPs and ministers, covering a wide range of economic and civil society groups. The call to support a decarbonisation target represents the biggest single group of organisations showing support for a joint statement on amendments to the Energy Bill and represents a broad range of organisations, including energy and supply chain companies, investors, unions, church groups and NGOs.

The next opportunity to include a revision to the Bill will be during Report Stage in early March, where MPs will debate the latest amendment laid by Tim Yeo MP and Barry Gardner MP. This would require the UK Government to set a 'decarbonisation target' by 1 April 2014, which would put the UK on track to have a largely decarbonised power sector by 2030 in line with the recommendations of the Committee on Climate Change.

The groups behind this amendment to the Bill, say that they are "united in the belief that a low-carbon power sector is essential to secure the future wellbeing of our economy", arguing that the Energy Bill "represents a major opportunity to put the UK firmly on track to becoming a world leading low-carbon economy, boost employment and show genuine leadership in the fight against dangerous climate change."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. The full Joint Statement: "The Energy Bill represents a major opportunity to put the UK firmly on track to becoming a world leading low-carbon economy, boost employment and show genuine leadership in the fight against dangerous climate change. Our organisations jointly call on Members of Parliament to seize this unique opportunity to commit the UK in the Energy Bill to have a near carbon free power sector by 2030 in line with the recommendations of the Committee on Climate Change. We represent different parts of society but are united in the belief that a low-carbon
power sector is essential to secure the future wellbeing of our economy, our environment and future generations."